Inquest to resume

Court has adjourned until 2pm

Evidence is still to be heard from police officers, as well as a paramedic and emergency consultant who were unable to save Mr Nicklin after he was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary.

13:07KEY EVENT

How the explosion was caused

Mr Kamis has told the court: “We found a large quantity of what I would describe as foil metals that had shrunk in the heat at various levels.

“These included isopropyl alcohol wraps which is used to sterilise needles ahead of injection.

“The swabs contributed to the fire in the oven and contributed to that development of the fire through ignition of vapours which come off the alcohol.

“The fire then became starved of oxygen but due to necessary activities of fire crews to put out the fire, oxygen was introduced through water and that caused ignition and the subsequent explosion.

“Once oxygen was added to the equation, it combined with leaking gas to create the explosion.”

12:51KEY EVENT

'Alcohol swabs were being heated'

Andy Kamis, fire investigation officer, has told the court how he believes the initial fire was caused by alcohol swabs which were being heated in Mr Nicklin’s kitchen.

12:05KEY EVENT

Mum reads out moving statement at court

Mr Nicklin’s mum Karen Nicklin has read a moving statement to the court.

In it she has described how she saw him the night before he died and said that his death had “devastated” the family.

11:36KEY EVENT

Lewis had 'significant' amount of carbon monoxide in his blood

The pathologist has read out the first details into Mr Nicklin’s death.

He was found to have 47 per cent carbon monoxide in his bloodstream, described as a “significant amount”.

A toxicology report has also found traces of heroin, cocaine, diazepam, amphetamines, codeine and cannabis.

11:21

Video from the scene

11:12

Pictures from the scene

11:06KEY EVENT

The inquest has begun

The inquest into Lewis Nicklin’s death is now underway.

Firefighters are present and are expected to give evidence.

11:04

Tributes paid to man with a 'good heart'

Immediately after Mr Nicklin’s death, tributes poured in on social media.

One close friends said at the time: “I am absolutely heartbroken. You were my best friend for so much of my life. Why do things like this happen? You had your failings but never deserved this.”

Another man said: One man said: “He was a little crazy, good crazy, at times hilarious, a good heart though, a one off... just found out and can’t believe it, thoughts go to his family x”

10:40

'Four firefighters injured in serious explosion'

Speaking in March, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service group manager Allen Cunningham, said: “It was a serious explosion which left four firefighters with minor blast injuries. Two were treated at the scene and two were taking to hospital to be checked out.

“The fire itself is not being treated as suspicious but we contacted the gas board to find out if there was gas involved and we are continuing to carry out a thorough investigation.”

10:13

What will an inquest investigate

The inquest will answer four questions. These are:-

Who died

Where did they die

When did they die

How did they die

The last question will take up the majority of the inquest. The coroner will hear evidence before coming to a conclusion and establishing a cause of death for Mr Nicklin.

10:11

What happened

Mr Nicklin died on Friday, March 10 earlier this year after a gas explosion at a flat in Beverley Road.

Firefighters risked their lives to try and save Mr Nicklin but he perished in the blast.

An inquest is taking place today into Mr Nicklin’s death at Hull Coroners Court from 11am.